The numbers

City vehicles & equipment

The big things the city buys to plow snow, fight fires, and maintain roads and parks: fire trucks, plow trucks, tractors, mowers, and attachments. For each one, here's what the council agreed to pay, who sold it, the equipment added to it, and a link to the original paperwork, read straight from the meeting where it was bought.

How to read these. The headline is the purchase: the price the council approved. Equipment added later (a plow, a dump box) and repair parts are listed separately, and a trade-in is a credit. I don't add everything into one “lifetime cost” number, because the records often state a total and its parts, which would double-count. Of 14 items, 10 show a paid or contract price in the record and 4 show only an authorized ceiling (the most the council agreed to spend, not a confirmed final price). Figures are auto-extracted from council packets and not yet hand-verified. Follow the source link to check any number.

Opinion from Dan

Why I voted to buy a new plow truck

The real numbers behind the 3-to-2 vote to order a new tandem dump truck and plow instead of rebuilding the city's 26-year-old Sterling, and why salt, not mileage, retires a plow truck.

Read it →

The active fleet today

What the city operates right now, starting from the fire and public-works apparatus roster and supplemented by owner-provided field notes for shop equipment not on that roster. Where the council purchase is in the record, the unit links to its paperwork below. Many units predate the city's digitized packets, so they have no purchase record on file yet.

Public works

2000 Sterling dump truckPW01173,008 mino record on file
Tandem-axle dump and plow truck for public works. It hauls sand and gravel and plows/sands city roads in winter. Now the backup plow, behind the 2007 Sterling and the 2023 Mack.
Failed DOT inspection and not legal to drive as-is. Heavily rusted throughout, with rusted-through holes in the box top rail. 173,008 miles.
Repair estimate notes
Campbell Service estimate #29 (May 22, 2026) puts the work needed just to make it road-legal at $25,637.41: about $20,475 in labor (146 hours at $140/hr) and $5,162 in parts. Almost all of it is catch-up safety and mechanical work: worn-out steering (king pins, U-joints, steer-axle spring pins), brakes and air system, all four rear suspension bushings, rusted-out shocks, frozen slack adjusters, and a long list of oil leaks. It does not include any snow equipment (plow, wing, underbody scraper, or sander), and it only welds/patches the rusted dump box rather than replacing it. After spending the $25,637 you would still own a 26-year-old truck worth roughly $8,000.
2007 Sterling dump truckPW02112,080 mino record on file
Tandem-axle dump truck, also pressed into service as a plow truck. Bought used around 2009 and not originally set up to plow. A separate frame mounts under the front and rests on the front axle so a plow can attach (not an ideal setup).
The dump box has been welded to keep it together: two ridges/plates run the length of the floor, and the cracked rear was welded in two places. The box no longer sits all the way down on the frame. 112,080 miles. If it stayed the primary plow truck, the box would need real work.
2023 Mack Granite plow truckPW0312,338 mipurchase record ↓
The city’s newest and primary plow truck, a 2023 Mack Granite tandem-axle dump with a Towmaster box, front plow, and Force America Patrol Commander plow/sander controls. Plows and sands roads in winter and hauls the rest of the year.
Nearly new and in good shape (12,338 miles). The dump box shows the normal surface rust that comes from hauling sand and salt.
John Deere 544K wheel loaderPW04no record on file
Wheel loader for public works. It loads sand, gravel, and snow, fills the dump trucks, and pushes/stacks snow.
In service. (Hour reading not yet recorded for this machine.)
Cat 140M graderPW054,250.9 hrsno record on file
Motor grader used to maintain and crown the city’s gravel roads, and as a backup plow in winter. It tows the Handy Hitch rubber-tire roller to pack the gravel after grading.
Older machine, still in service. 4,250.9 hours.
John Deere 6430 tractorPW062,751.4 hrsOther apparatus/resourceno record on file
John Deere 6430 utility tractor. It runs a boom/wing flail mower to cut the roadside ditches and rights-of-way, plus general tractor work.
In service. 2,751.4 hours.
Chevy 3500PW0712,473 mi · 845 hrspurchase record ↓
Public-works crew pickup, a 2023 Chevy Silverado 3500 with a flatbed/dump insert, used for light hauling and for plowing and sanding.
Nearly new and in good shape. Low mileage (12,473 mi) but 845 engine hours, reflecting the idle time that plowing and sanding add.
Skid loader (Cat 279D)PW086,051.5 hrsno record on file
Compact track loader for public works, used for small loading, grading, and snow work; it runs the snow-blower attachments listed in the records.
In service. 6,051.5 hours.
2017 Ford F-550 dump truckPW0950,364 mipurchase record ↓
One-ton dump and plow truck for public works, the 2017 Ford F-550 with a Towmaster dump box, used for hauling and for plowing and sanding.
In good shape. 50,364 miles.
Gravel hauling trailerPW10no record on file
Pull-behind trailer used to haul gravel/aggregate for the city’s roads.
Bobcat Toolcat (UW56)PW11purchase record ↓
Utility work machine (Bobcat Toolcat UW56, 4x4). It carries crew and tools in the cargo bed and runs front-mount attachments like a bucket. In winter it also resurfaces the city ice rink: public works sets a water tank on it with a carpet dragged behind to smooth the water as it is laid down, like a Zamboni.
In good shape.
Toro wide-area mowerPW124,514 hrsno record on file
Toro front-deck wide-area rotary mower, used to mow city grounds, parks, and rights-of-way.
In service. 4,514 hours.
Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn mowerPW132,155 hrsno record on file
Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn riding mower, used to mow city grounds, parks, and rights-of-way.
In service. 2,155 hours.

Fire & rescue

Engine 50EE50Enginepurchase record ↓
Tanker 1ET1Tanker / tenderpurchase record ↓
Tanker 2ET2Tanker / tenderno record on file
Rescue 1ER1Rescue unitno record on file
Grass 1EG1Brush truckno record on file
Defender (Boat 1)Boat 1Boat, no pumpno record on file
Captain 10ECA10Chief officer carno record on file
Captain 11ECA11Chief officer carno record on file
Chief 1ECH1Chief officer carno record on file
Chief 2ECH2Chief officer carno record on file

Fire units and PW01-PW09 are transcribed from the city's apparatus list or a documented council purchase. Later public-works equipment IDs are provisional field labels until the city confirms an official unit number. The purchase records below are read from council packets and cover only acquisitions captured in those packets.

Fire & rescue

rescue pumper truck

$514,090, contract

2026 Ford F750 · 2025-10-14 · Res 2025-96

Bought from Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc.

of which $95,387 prepaid

Funding: Packet RCA states the purchase was bond-funded: "The City Council has previously approved the sales of bonds for the purchase and prepayment of a rescue pumper truck for the fire department."

The provided slices show the contract total ($514,090.00) and the chassis progress payment/prepayment ($95,387.00), but do not include any later repair bills/parts or any retirement/trade-in/auction credits for this vehicle.

purchase record p.152 full packet (PDF)

Replacement Tanker/Tender (E-One Pumper/Tanker)In service · ET1

authorized up to $600,000, authorized ceiling

E-One Pumper/Tanker · 2021-07-13

Bought from Fire Safety USA/REV Group

Funding: "This is a tax-exempt, municipal government lease purchase with the title to the property passing to Lessee."

The provided slices authorize spending up to $600,000 and include a REV Financial Services financing quote, but they do not show an executed purchase contract/firm purchase price, any deposits, added-equipment invoices, repair/parts bills, or any disposal/trade-in credit for the vehicle.

purchase record p.2 full packet (PDF)

Stock Pumper #16140In service · EE50

$256,390, approved price

— · unit 16140 · 2013-03-12

Bought from Rosenbauer South Dakota LLC

of which $500 prepaid

+ $63.90 Fire equipment supplies (not specified as part/replacement) (Rosenbauer South Dakota LLC)source p.59
+ $77.02 Magnetic Door Switch (ROSENBAUER)source p.32

Funding: "Bruce Kimmel gave a quick overview of proposed GO Equipment Certificates in the amount of $165,000 to purchase a new Fire Engine. With this proposal, the City would contribute $100,000 towards the purchase of the $256,890 Fire Engine and bond for the remaining balance."

The slices provided show one stated total purchase amount and a separate deposit for Unit #16140, plus later Rosenbauer-related expenses; no retirement/trade-in/auction credit for this unit appears in the provided slices.

purchase record p.38 full packet (PDF)

Public works

2025 Bobcat Tool catIn service · PW11

$69,114.11

purchase + equipment

2025 Bobcat Tool cat · 2026-01-13 · Res 2026-09

Bought from Crawford's Equipment, Inc.

Base purchase (Crawford's Equipment, Inc.)$67,914.11source p.40
Rhino lining (authorized not to exceed)$1,200source p.57

− $17,000 Trade-in value accepted for the current equipment (related to purchase approval of the 2025 Bobcat Tool Cat)source p.7

Funding: SOURCE OF FUNDING: 2025 Go Bond for Equipment

The provided record slices state the purchase total and authorize a rhino lining (not-to-exceed) and trade-in credit, but they do not show an actual invoice/paid amount for the rhino lining, any extended-warranty charge, deposits, or later repair/parts/disposal proceeds for this specific 2025 Toolcat.

purchase record p.40 full packet (PDF)

Bobcat snowblower attachment authorization

authorized up to $7,000, authorized ceiling

Bobcat 5600 high flow Toolcat · 2023-12-12 · Res 2023-73

Funding: Funds for this purchase will come from 404-45404-510 "capital park fund".

The record authorizes a snowblower attachment for the Bobcat at an estimated amount not to exceed $7,000. The packet includes competing quote material, but no final paid invoice or clearly accepted quote is in the extracted record.

purchase record p.67 full packet (PDF)

2023 Chevy Silverado TruckIn service · PW07

authorized up to $120,000, authorized ceiling

2023 Chevy Silverado · 2023-03-14 · Res 2023-14

Bought from Stillwater Motors

of which $500 prepaid

Funding: Funding for this truck and accessories will come from the Equipment Replacement Fund.

The provided record slices authorize a not-to-exceed total and mention a refundable deposit and intended accessory vendors, but they do not include a final invoice/contract purchase price, itemized accessory costs, repair/parts bills, or any trade-in/auction credit for retirement.

purchase record p.3 full packet (PDF)

Snow blower attachment for the skid loader (CAT SR121)

$8,600, state-contract quote

CAT SR121 · 2022-11-10

Bought from Ziegler CAT

Funding: SOURCE OF FUNDING: We would move funds from our revenue fund 100-36230 "contribution and donations" to 701-43110-580 "equipment replacement fund" to make this purchase.

The provided record slices include a not-to-exceed total and a vendor quotation for $8,600.00, but do not show a finalized resolution number, purchase order/contract, payment record for the blower itself, or any later repair/disposal credit tied to this attachment.

purchase record p.83 full packet (PDF)

2023 Mack Granite 64FR(T) tandem-axle plow truckIn service · PW03

$281,887.16

purchase + equipment

2023 Mack Granite 64FR(T) · 2022-02-08

Bought from Nuss Truck and Equipment

Base purchase (Nuss Truck and Equipment)$142,665.16source p.43
Associated snow and ice control accessory equipment (Towmaster quotation) (Towmaster)$139,222source p.44

Funding: Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) equipment funds.

One truck, not two. The cab & chassis (Nuss Truck & Equipment, State Contract T647) and the Towmaster snow/ice equipment were bought and paid for separately but make up one truck. An earlier 2021 quote for this same truck (chassis $126,010 + box $117,843 = $243,853) was superseded when supply-chain delays pushed it to a 2023 model and prices rose; it was re-approved Feb 8, 2022. No separate paid invoice appears in the record (ordered for ~March 30, 2023 delivery).

purchase record p.43 full packet (PDF)

1997 Chevy 4x4 1 ton

$6,275, approved price

1997 Chevy · 2016-08-10

Bought from Greg Tinsley

The provided record slices only state the $6,275 bid approval to purchase this 1997 Chevy 4x4 1 ton and do not show any deposit, added equipment, repairs/parts, or disposal/trade-in credit for this vehicle.

purchase record p.6 full packet (PDF)

2017 Ford F-550 dump truck (PW09)In service · PW09

$74,366

purchase + equipment

2017 Ford F-550 Chassis XL · unit PW09 · 2016-06-14

Bought from Boyer Ford (chassis), Towmaster (dump box), Aspen (plow)

Base purchase (Boyer Ford (chassis), Towmaster (dump box), Aspen (plow))$52,430source p.7
Towmaster dump box (Towmaster)$16,475source p.7
Aspen plow (Aspen)$5,461source p.7

Funding: Capital equipment (account 406-41901-550). Bought to replace the 1997 Chevy 1-ton.

First recommended May 10, 2016 as a 2016 F-550 Chassis XL from Boyer Ford at the $50,025.00 state-contract price; the June 14, 2016 council motion finalized it as a 2017 Ford F-550 from Boyer Ford at $52,430.00, with a Towmaster dump box ($16,475.00) and an Aspen plow ($5,461.00) for a $74,366.00 total, ~September 2016 delivery. The Towmaster body payment was recorded 01/09/2017 ($16,475.00, claim 44/27750). Unit number PW09 is provisional and needs confirmation from the city.

purchase record p.7 full packet (PDF)

2017 Ford 550

$74,366, approved price

2017 Ford 550 · 2016-06-14

Bought from Boyer Ford

The provided record slices include a council motion stating the acquisition components and total ($74,366.00) but do not include any deposit/prepayment, later repairs/parts, or disposal/trade-in/auction credits for this specific 2017 Ford 550.

2016 F-550 Chassis XL

$50,025, approved price

2016 Ford F-550 Chassis XL · 2016-05-10

Bought from Boyer Ford

The provided record slices show the council-approved chassis purchase price and vendor but do not state any deposit/prepayment, added equipment (box/plow), repair/parts costs, or disposal/trade-in/auction credit for this vehicle.

purchase record p.6 full packet (PDF)

Parks

used 2011 Toro 4100 production lawn mower

$31,000, state-contract quote

2011 Toro 4100 · 2022-05-12 · Res 2022-20

Bought from MTI

Funding: "The $31,000 in funds for this purchase are to be drawn from 701- 47701-580"

The provided record slices show the MTI quote/total for the used 2011 Toro 4100 and the funding account, but they do not show any deposit/prepayment, later repair/parts bills, or any trade-in/auction proceeds tied to this mower.

purchase record p.20 full packet (PDF)

mower 001

authorized up to $16,000, authorized ceiling

— · unit 001 · 2011-05-12

Bought from K-Bid

The provided records only authorize pursuing the purchase (not-to-exceed $16,000) and do not show an actual purchase price paid, deposit/prepayment, added equipment, repairs/parts, or any disposal/trade-in credit for mower 001.

purchase record p.5 full packet (PDF)

Anchored on the council vote or agenda item that bought each vehicle, then widened to other meetings only by a tight identity (a unit number, or make + model) so a repair bill for one truck never lands on another. Every figure links to the record it came from.